Packing appliance for crates and the like.



M. L. R. BDMUNDS, DEGD. H. L. EDMUNDS, ADMINISTRATOR.

PACKING APPLIANCE FOR GRATES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6, 1909.

936,239; Patented Oct. 5, 1909.

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I attoznu a iannew a GRAMAI co., mam-unosmmzas; WASHINGTON. n. c.

nrra era ATENT @FFTCE MILTON L. R.

EDMUNDS, DECEASED.

PACKING APPLIANCE FOR CBATES AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Got. 5, 196m.

AppIication filed. March 6, 1909. Serial No. 481,600.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that MIL'roN L. R. EoMUNos, late a citizen of the United States, and resident of The Dalles, in the county of lVasco and State ofOregon, deceased, did in his lifetime invent an Improvement in Packing Appliances for Crates and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to packing appliances for use in packing fruit, vegetables, etc, in crates and the like, the object of the invention being to provide simple and inexpensive means whereby the top layer of the fruit or vegetables containedwithin a crate may be quickly arranged in regular order so as to present an attractive appearance when the crate or other receptacle is opened.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which can be readily attached to a receptacle.

With these and other objects in View the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings :-Figure l is a side elevation of the appliance attached to a crate being packed, a portion of the crate being broken away. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the device.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates a panel having its upper face provided with transverse grooves 2 designed to receive the ends and partitions of the crates to be packed, those portions of the upper face of the panel which are located between the grooves being provided with series of recesses 3 arranged in regular order and each of which is designed to constitute a seat for a fruit, vegetable, or other article to be packed. Plates 4 are secured to the sides of the panel and have threaded studs 5 extending laterally therefrom, these studs projecting through slots 6 formed longitudinally in tie straps 7. Thumb nuts 8 engage the studs and are designed to clamp the straps 7 against the plates A so as to hold them against movement. The free ends of the straps 7 are hooked as indicated at 9.

In using the device herein described the crate to be packed is placed 011 the panel 1 with its end walls 10 and its central partition 11 resting in the grooves 2. The crate is placed in this position before the top or bottom thereof is fastened thereon. Straps 7 are extended upwardly across the sides of the crate and the hooks 9 are placed in engagement with the upper edges of the side walls. As these straps 7 are slotted longitudinally they can be adjusted so as to hold the panel I firmly against the lower edges of the crate and said panel can be locked in this position by means of thumb nuts 8. After the panel has been applied in this manner the fruit, vegetables, or other articles to be packed are placed within the crate, they first being arranged within the recesses 3 so as to thus lie in regular order. After the bottom layer has been arranged upon the panel 1 the balance of the crate can be filled by placing the articles therein indiscriminately. After the crate has been filled the bottom thereof is nailed in place, after which the crate'is inverted, so as to bring the panel uppermost. The panel is then de tached and the top layer of the contents of the crate will thus be exposed in regular order, and therefore present a very attractive appearance. The top of the crate can then be secured in place.

Obviously a device such as herein described can be used in connection with various forms of receptacles and for packing difierent kinds of merchandise of this character. Also instead of utilizing the fastening means described it will of course be understood that various other devices may be employed. Moreover, the recesses can be arranged so as to form various designs.

Obviously various other changes can be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages of the invention.

What is claimed is 1. A packing appliance for crates and the like comprising a panel having a series of recesses in one face thereof, and means connected to the panel for detachably securing the panel upon a receptacle.

2. A packing appliance for receptacles comprising a panel having depressions con stituting seats for the walls of a receptacle, there being a series of recesses within one face of the panel and constituting seats for articles being packed, and means carried by the panel for detachably securing the panel to a receptacle.

3. A packing appliance for receptacles comprising a panel having recesses in one face thereof constituting seats for articles to be packed, longitudinally slotted straps each having a receptacle-engaging hook at one end, and clamping means within the slot and upon the panel for holding the straps against movement With relation to the panel.

Signed at The Dalles, in the county of HAROLD L. EDMUNDS,

zldm'iwxist ratow 0f the estate of Milton L. R.

Edmzmcls, inventor, deceased.

Witnesses HERBERT L. DRIVER, HUGH V. LAGEY. 

